I Spent 15 Years Applying My Perfume All Wrong—Here's the *Right* Way, According to Experts

I've worn perfume since I was 13 (shout-out to Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy, the nostalgic scent I will always hold dear), but I was today years old when I finally learned how to apply it correctly. It sounds pretty self-explanatory—just spray and go, no?—but believe me, there is a right and wrong way to spritz, especially if you want to smell good for as long as possible. (Um, who doesn't?)

Below, find the step-by-step guide I learned straight from master perfumers, and prepare to be floored by some unsuspecting myths. They also gave me some expert-approved tricks to help fragrance last even longer (I'm talking, like, over 12 hours of wear), so you can get the absolute most out of your precious bottles. Keep scrolling!

How to Apply Perfume Correctly

1. Moisturize Your Skin

As a general rule, perfume clings better to well-moisturized skin. "Massaging unscented lotion on your skin before you spritz your perfume will help you retain your fragrance longer," says Vince Spinnato, cosmetic chemist, perfumer, certified nose, and CEO of Turnkey Beauty. "This is because moisture gives your scent something to hold on to. So spraying your signature scent after your skin has been freshly washed and moisturized boosts its staying power and will help you smell great all day."

Just make sure you use a fragrance-free product, unless you have a lotion with the same scent as your perfume or you're hoping to layer different notes (more on that in just a moment!). "This will lock in the scent and enhance its longevity," adds DSM-Firmenich perfumer Alexandra Monet.

2. Spray on Your Pulse Points

Next, aim your spritz directly on your pulse points (aka your wrists, insides of your elbows, nape of your neck, and backs of your knees). "These react with the natural fluctuations in your body temperature and, in turn, emit your scent throughout the day," says Spinnato.

Note, this rule works best with eau de parfums, oils, and extraits, as these are more concentrated (i.e., a tiny spritz on your pulse points goes a long way). If you have an eau de toilette or body mist, you can spray it more liberally across the body. "You can apply them generously to your skin and hair, reapplying as needed throughout the day to keep the scent fresh and light," Monet adds.

3. But Don't Rub Your Wrists Together

I know, I was shocked, too! It's common to rub your wrists together after spraying perfume directly on the skin, but according to the experts, this is a major fragrance faux pas.

"It can cause the fragrance to evaporate faster by breaking the scent and creating too much friction and heat on your skin," Spinnato explains. "I recommend simply spraying on pulse points like your wrists and letting it air dry without rubbing."

4. Spray Your Hair

"In addition, you can spray a spritz in your hair so the fragrance will permeate through your hair strands throughout the day," he adds. (It feels very French.) Just be careful not to go overboard here, as hair—especially high-porosity hair—typically holds on to fragrance much longer than skin.

5. Spray Your Clothes—Carefully

"Fabrics tend to hold fragrance longer than skin does," says DSM-Firmenich perfumer Gabriela Chelariu, so you could also give your clothing a spritz for extra longevity. Just proceed with caution if you're wearing delicate or light-washed materials, as an alcohol-based solution has the potential to stain.

Many perfumes are also meant to interact with your skin's natural pH to create a signature whiff—so consider the fabric hack for when you really need some extra oomph. "We have advised this with our Hollywood fragrance collection, as it’s a pheromone fragrance that must be in contact with the skin as long as possible, rather than clothing itself," shares Spinnato.

6. Don't Spray and Walk

Another big fragrance myth: the "spray and walk" method. One would think misting fragrance into the air and walking through the cloud would result in an evenly distributed scent, but according to the experts, this "dated" technique actually backfires.

"Most of the fragrance disperses into the air and doesn’t stay on your skin or clothing, which reduces its staying power," says Chelariu. It's also, quite frankly, a waste of precious juice. Think about it: If you have a spendy perfume you adore, why would you sacrifice even a droplet to the surrounding air?

Tips to Make Perfume Last Longer

Once you have the basics down pat, you can start to level up. Here, find some expert-approved hacks to help your perfume last over 12 hours.

• Apply post-shower: "After a shower, your clean pores will open in the steam, making it the perfect time to apply your perfume," notes Spinnato. "However, don't apply the perfume while your skin is still wet, as it will only rub off when you dry yourself!" The perfect window is when your skin is completely dry yet still warm from the shower.
• Apply a jelly balm on your pulse points: As I mentioned up top, hydrated skin better holds on to fragrance. To amp up the moisture even further, Spinnato recommends adding a touch of petroleum jelly (like Vaseline) to your pulse points. "This will help the fragrance stay on longer," he notes.
• Spray your hairbrush: "Spray your hairbrush to distribute the fragrance equally throughout your hair or choose a hair perfume to add to your layering," Spinnato shares. My personal favorite duo is the Frédéric Malle Portrait of a Lady Hair Mist and Eau de Parfum—so gorgeous.
• Layer with mists and bodycare products: Layering your perfume will certainly give the scent more depth. You can either choose the same scent or a mist with complementary notes for a fun cocktailing moment. (A floral perfume with vanilla mist is always my go-to pair.) "You can also layer your fragrance with matching body products, such as lotions or shower gels, which will help lock in the scent and extend its wear," says Monet.
• Don't store it in the bathroom: How you store your fragrance can totally impact its longevity. Avoid keeping your perfumes in the bathroom, Spinnato notes, as extreme temperature fluctuations (which can occur during steamy showers) can cause fragrances to deteriorate over time. "You can keep them in their boxes or in a dark cupboard or drawer," he notes. Even the fridge is an option! According to Monet, "Cooler temperatures help preserve the integrity of the fragrance and slow down the breakdown of the scent molecules."
• Keep the bottle closed: On that note, preventing your fragrance from oxidizing will help keep the scent nice and strong. "Keep the bottle closed until the first spritz each time; this helps prevent oxygen from getting in the bottle through the actuator/sprayer," Spinnato advises.

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